… Some Communities Consume Far Above WHO Recommended Daily Intake, Fueling Hypertension Epidemic – Minister
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By Chidi Ugwu
Federal Government on Wednesday launched the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction as part of efforts to tackle health effect associated with diets high in sodium including raised blood pressure which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, Meniere’s disease, and kidney diseases.
The Ministry launched the new policy in partnership with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Resolve To Save Lives among others.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, lamented that some Nigerian communities consume between 7 and 9 grams of salt daily far above the 5 grams recommended by the World Health Organization, stressing that the excessive or overconsumption of sodium is directly tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35% of adults in the nation’s population.
Represented by Mrs. Olubunmi Aribeana, Director, Food and Drug Services Department, the Minister said the situation is exacerbated in urban areas, where dining habits lean heavily towards saltier prepared meals, unconsciously risking the lives of Nigerians with dietary habits that could lead to devastating, long-term health consequences.
“Research has shown that the average salt intake in Nigeria far exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 grams per day, with many communities consuming between 7 and 9 grams daily. This excessive overconsumption of sodium is directly tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35% of adults in our population. The situation is exacerbated in urban areas, where dining habits lean heavily towards saltier prepared meals, unconsciously risking our lives with dietary habits that could lead to devastating, long-term health consequences” he said.
In his remarks, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, while congratulating the Ministry, emphasized the importance of effective implementation in reducing excessive sodium intake and associated health risks.
“Today marks another major milestone in safeguarding public health in Nigeria through the promotion of heathy diet.
“We strongly believe that effective implementation of this guideline will help in no small measure in reducing excessive sodium intake and reduce cases of Cardiovascular Diseases and Non communicable Diseases in Nigeria.
“We remain committed to our partnership with the ministry and its agencies in promoting polices to enhance positive health outcomes”.
Also speaking, Mrs Okeoma Obasi, Principal Advisor, Resolve to save lives Nigeria, declared that Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) indeed remain the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 75% of non-pandemic-related deaths worldwide.
She noted that with the launch, ‘Nigeria has indeed positioned itself as a leader in promoting healthy food policies in the African region, demonstrating its commitment to addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases and promoting a healthier population’.
Joy Amafa-Isaac, the In-Country Coordinator for Global Health Advocacy Incubator, described the event as extra ordinary, in the sense that the country choose the day to commit to reducing sodium intake by 30 per cent.
She said the guideline provides relevant guidance to reduce the excess intake of salt in the people’s diet and ultimately increase nutrition as well as reduce mortalities by non communicable diseases especially cardiovascular disease.
